RV Bird Watching Winfield KS

RV bird watchers across North America are noticing mallards. Here's where to start RV bird watching on your next RV trip. Beyond the mythologies of specific native tribes, today, people from all walks of life continue to marvel at the color and natural artistry melded in the plumage of male mallards (drakes). From Central Park in the heart of New York City to tiny ponds and prairie potholes in the hinterlands of North Dakota, springtime finds human observers enthralled with the sight of courting mallards.

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Mallards - The Uncommonly Common Duck

Wildlife Feature: MallardsThe uncommonly common duck From the pages of Camping Life Magazine

According to Crow Indian legend, before there was land or trees or mammals, the world consisted of an enormous sea. On this sea paddled ducks, the only animals in the world. One day, Old Man came to the ducks, informing them that there was earth on the bottom of the ocean. Four ducks dove to the depths at his command. When they popped to the surface, one of them presented him a bit of mud wedged between its webbed toes. From this bit of soil, Old Man created the continents that were subsequently occupied by other birds and mammals and the Crows themselves. Many early peoples caught ducks for use as a food source, but just as many prized the duck, especially the mallard, for its beautiful plumage.

Beyond the mythologies of specific native tribes, today, people from all walks of life continue to marvel at the color and natural artistry melded in the plumage of male mallards (drakes). From Central Park in the heart of New York City to tiny ponds and prairie potholes in the hinterlands of North Dakota, springtime finds human observers enthralled with the sight of courting mallards. Oblivious to the world, a green-headed drake bobs his head up and down before a likely female. If the head-bob fails to impress his audience, the suitor may dip his bright, yellow-green bill into the water then raise it above his head to send sparkling droplets of water splashing back to the surface. He may also rear backward in the water, displaying the burnished chestnut hues of his breast to his potential mate.

MOST COLORFUL

With the exception of the wood duck drake, male mallards are considered by many to be the most colorful ducks of North America. In contrast to the brilliantly arrayed but relatively uncommon wood duck, though, mallards seem to be everywhere. Due to their uncanny ability to adapt to human civilization and benefit from agricultural activities, mallards are not only the most common duck in the United States, but the most widespread duck in the entire world.

Although most species of ducks are superficially similar in shape and general appearance, different species are often categorized by the manner in which they forage. Diving ducks use their powerful feet to propel themselves to the depths of lakes, ponds and streams where they glean insects and vegetation from the bottom. Mallards, on the other hand, are among the several species known as dabblers. Dabbling ducks don't normally dive, but are often seen tipped bottom-side up, with their heads submerged. Under the surface, their bills probe for vegetation or click shut on swimming bugs. Dabbling ducks will also paddle along in groups, snatching hatching insects from on top of the water.

To facilitate their feeding, the bills of mallards possess some specialized characteristics. Both the yellow-gre...